A Royal Pain
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Game Preview: Sacramento Kings Play Season Finale In Space City

By Rafe Wong

Dec 5, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore (23) dribbles against the Houston Rockets in the second half at Toyota Center. Rockets won 120-111. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore (23) dribbles against the Houston Rockets in the second half at Toyota Center. Rockets won 120-111. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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This Sacramento Kings season has really been something. Considering the expectations to start the year and what the aftermath has been this has to be one of the most excruciating seasons that the team and their fans have endured since their tenure here in California’s capital.

Although many may feel relieved that the season will conclude tonight against Houston Rockets, it will be the last time the Kings will play until next Fall.

With that being said, it would be nice to see the purple and white end their season on a high note with one last win. They will need to follow some important keys in order to achieve some success tonight.

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For the Kings to benefit from this evening they need to continue to play their young guys more minutes. We have seen from players like Willie Cauley-Stein and Seth Curry that their late-season opportunities have greatly benefitted the team and themselves going forward.

The Kings need to send more young blood onto the court tonight. This means Ben McLemore should get more playing time. It also means Eric Moreland should see a dramatic increase in minutes as well.

Nov 6, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center Willie Cauley-Stein (00) defends the shot by Houston Rockets forward Montrezl Harrell (35) during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Houston Rockets defeated the Sacramento Kings 116-110. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center Willie Cauley-Stein (00) defends the shot by Houston Rockets forward Montrezl Harrell (35) during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Houston Rockets defeated the Sacramento Kings 116-110. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

And hey, let’s also give Duje Dukan a shot at the hardwood. Let’s give him the chance to experience the game at the professional level at least once before the players go on their vacations when the season concludes.

For the Kings to also find success tonight they will need to guard the perimeter well, especially against Rockets star player James Harden.

The Kings have been horrible defensively all year and it is due mostly to their lack of guarding the perimeter.

Harden is one of the best players in the league in penetrating to the basket and making plays for his teammates and himself, and if the Kings are caught slipping defensively “The Beard” will torch them.

Harden is averaging 24 points per game throughout his career against Sacramento (per Basketball Reference).

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The Kings in a way beat themselves up this season, but they have the opportunity tonight to spoil another team’s season as well. The fate of the Rockets season comes down to this last game.

If Houston wins tonight, they clinch the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. However, if they end losing tonight they will be, like Sacramento, be on vacation after this game.

So with all the disappointment that Sacramento has put on themselves, let us hope the Kings go out tonight and play the spoiler role towards the Rockets and end this season on a positive as the team will move into their new home Golden 1 Center next Autumn.

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